Thermal Stability Improvement of Core Material via High Internal Phase Emulsion Gels.

Biocompatible particle-stabilized emulsions have gained significant attention in the biomedical industry. In this study, we employed dynamic high-pressure microfluidization (HPM) to prepare a biocompatible particle emulsion, which effectively enhances the thermal stability of core materials without the addition of any chemical additives. The results demonstrate that the HPM-treated particle-stabilized emulsion forms an interface membrane with high expansion and viscoelastic properties, thus preventing core material agglomeration at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the particle concentration used for constructing the emulsion gel network significantly impacts the overall strength and stability of the material while possessing the ability to inhibit oxidation of the thermosensitive core material. This investigation explores the influence of particle concentration on the stability of particle-stabilized emulsion gels, thereby providing valuable insights for the design, improvement, and practical applications of innovative clean label emulsions, particularly in the embedding and delivery of thermosensitive core materials.

Hsa_circ_0102899 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The significance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) has been identified in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Consistently, our study probed the functional actions of hsa_circ_0102899 (circ_0102899) in NSCLC cells. METHODS: circ_0102899 expression was checked in NSCLC tissues, as well as its correlation with clinical characteristics of patients, Using A459 cells, transfection to alter gene expression was performed, thus measuring the changes of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and apoptosis, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. circ_0102899's effects in vivo were validated by tumor xenograft assay. Finally, the regulatory mechanism of circ_0102899 was investigated. RESULTS: circ_0102899 indicated a high-expression level in NSCLC tissues which was associated with NSCLC tumor characteristics. Functionally, circ_0102899 knockdown not only inhibited the growth and EMT process of NSCLC cells, but also inhibited tumor formation in vivo. In terms of the regulatory mechanism, circ_0102899 had a binding to miR-885-5p to target eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4γ2 (EIF4G2). circ_0102899 mediated miR-885-5/EIF4G2 axis to accelerate the process of cell malignant behavior in NSCLC. CONCLUSION: circ_0102899 promotes EMT and metastasis in NSCLC by regulating the miR-885-5p/EIF4G2 axis.

Conformational entropy of hyaluronic acid contributes to taste enhancement.

Natural taste/flavor enhancers are essential ingredients that could potentially address condiments overconsumption. For the first time, we report that hyaluronic acid (HA) could modulate taste perception, governed by the dynamic interactions among taste compounds, mucin, and HA. Various conformations of HA impact taste perception. The high molecular weight (Mw) of 1090 kDa HA inhibits the sense of taste due to its increased viscosity, which hinders the penetration of Na+ into the mucin layer. HA with low and medium Mw (100 kDa, 400 kDa) could enhance taste perception. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis confirms the stronger binding between mucin and HA. The intensity of their interaction increases as the Mw of HA increases from 8 kDa to 400 kDa. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation characterization further indicates that the rigid conformation of 100 kDa HA facilitates the binding of Na+ with taste receptors, thereby enhancing taste perception. The flexible conformation of 400 kDa HA may conceal the taste receptor cells, reducing taste enhancement. Our work advances the understanding of conformational entropy of natural mucoadhesion and mucopenetration polymers, which lays the foundation for their potential use as taste enhancers.

Diagnostic value and safety of ultrathin bronchoscope and endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath combined with rapid on-site evaluation system for peripheral pulmonary infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value and safety of ultrathin bronchoscope and endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) combined with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) system for peripheral pulmonary infectious diseases. METHODS: The clinical data of 196 patients visiting our hospital, who had peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) indicated by spiral computed tomography (CT) of the chest and were finally diagnosed as infectious PPLs, were retrospectively collected. Then the patients were divided into ultrathin bronchoscope + ROSE group, EBUS-GS + ROSE group and ultrathin bronchoscope + EBUS-GS + ROSE group based on different diagnostic techniques. Moreover, the general conditions, diagnostic results and specific operation parameters of the patients were recorded, and the diagnostic rate, sensitivity and complications were compared. RESULTS: In ultrathin bronchoscope + EBUS-GS + ROSE group, the time of localizing lesions and operation time were the shortest, and the grade of bronchi reached by the bronchoscope was the highest. The differences were significant between any two groups (P<0.05). Patients with bacterial pneumonia, and patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease, ultrathin bronchoscope + EBUS-GS + ROSE group exhibited the highest definite diagnosis rate of bronchoscope and diagnostic sensitivity of ROSE system, with significant differences from those of the other two groups (P<0.05). The incidence rates of complications were low in all groups, and there were no significant differences between any two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrathin bronchoscope and EBUS-GS combined with ROSE system can prominently decrease the time of localizing lesions and operation time, remarkably improve the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity and result in fewer complications.